Udaipur: Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar was appointed the 77th custodian of the Mewar dynasty in a ceremony on 2 April. The ‘Gaddi Utsav’ (Enthronement ceremony), a succession ritual, unfolded in Udaipur City Palace’s Darbar Hall, where Lakshyaraj donned the turban symbolic of the ceremonial transfer of authority after the death of his father Arvind Singh Mewar last month.
The utsav came amid a family dispute over inheritance that has divided the House of Mewar. In an exclusive interview with ThePrint, when asked about the challenges of navigating this transition, Lakshyaraj responded with spiritual conviction rather than political assertion.
“I would only say that the entire universe is contained within the Guru,” he said. For centuries, Mewar’s rulers have upheld the belief that true kingship belongs to the deity Eklingji—the eternal ruler of the region.
“When you have the blessings of a Guru, parents, and God, it is a matter of great happiness. With their guidance, responsibilities become easier. I believe that if God, parents, and Guru stand before us, then this ye sar, ye pagdi, sabse pehle mere guru ke charno me jhukegi (this head, this turban will first bow at my Guru’s feet),” he said.
“What the guru does is always for the greater good, and it is our duty to follow the path laid out for us,” he added.
Lakshyaraj dismissed the weight of carrying a crown as a guardian of Mewar’s dynasty, saying, “If you look closely, there is no crown on this head, and, in the past 1,500 years, there has never been one.”
“Mewar’s rulers have always been its sewak (caretakers), not its kings. The real crown rests on Ekling Nath Ji’s…head, and our family has been in service to him for centuries,” he explained.
Rather than seeing his new role as a burden, Lakshyaraj refers to it as a challenge—one that requires steadfastness, self-respect, and commitment to principles, even as the world around him changes.
“Situations and circumstances keep changing, but our beliefs should not waver. The biggest challenge is to uphold and work according to the values that define Mewar,” he said.
Unlike the royals of the past who maintained distance from the public, Lakshyaraj has embraced social media and modern engagement. He calls himself a “scientific saint,”a phrase that intrigues many.
“I have always been fascinated by human life—how it began and how it evolved. The sages of ancient times must have lived in a certain way, and today, with technology, mobile phones, and the internet, we can communicate instantly across the world. This journey between past and present fascinates me, which is why I call myself a ‘scientific saint,’” he explained.
Yet, even in embracing modernity, he emphasises that the essence of Mewar’s leadership remains unchanged—rooted in direct interaction with people.
“Mewar’s culture has always been one of inclusivity, discussion, and shared thoughts. Whether it was my father, grandfather, or even Maharana Pratap, they all engaged directly with their praja (people). Mewar’s leaders were never distant figures,” he added.
A global fascination for monarchies and royal traditions remains, but recently a movement calling for the return of monarchy in Nepal. Reacting to this, he said, “I won’t comment on Nepal’s specific situation, but if such movements are aimed at preserving discipline, culture, and traditions within a respectful framework, then it is a positive thing.”
“Culture survives through discipline and dignity,” he said. Lakshyaraj also said that India has unique traditions that must be preserved.
“I have travelled to many countries, but I have never seen a tradition like touching an elder’s feet anywhere except in India. These customs are part of our identity, and it is important to keep them alive,” Singh added.(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
Also Read: A royal mess spilled onto Udaipur streets. Vishvaraj vs Lakshyaraj is a 40-yr-old rivalry